Air bags verses level jacks

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Air bags verses level jacks

May 14, 2016, 08:28:30 am

Does anyone have a grandville with with air ride suspension and no level jack
They say the air bags work as leveling jacks but can you really adjust your coach like you can with jacks

Re: Air bags verses level jacks

Reply #1 – May 14, 2016, 08:54:18 am

There are definitely limitations to the amount of leveling available with the air bags--especially with a 40-ft coach. However, I still definitely prefer our air-bag system when compared with the potential issues associated with hydraulic leveling jacks.

We haven't yet needed them but we carry a couple of sets of Lynx lightweight leveling blocks Tri Lynx Corporation | Where Products are designed with the user in mind. to go under the tires if required.

Re: Air bags verses level jacks

Reply #2 – May 14, 2016, 09:10:59 am

I agree DJ, I have had both and prefer air bags. Had jacks sink into the ground once, not good.

Re: Air bags verses level jacks

Reply #3 – May 14, 2016, 09:13:35 am

I have yet to have the 40 footer roll off the the bags. No so the '87 Vogue with jacks !

Re: Air bags verses level jacks

Reply #4 – May 14, 2016, 09:50:03 am

The air leveling doesn't come close to the abilities of jacks under severe conditions. If you camp off-road where leveling is a problem, you might be disappointed with the air system. With jacks, you can also lift wheels off the ground to change tires, or get yourself un-stuck in deep sand. Been there done that with my ex-Wanderlodge.

Re: Air bags verses level jacks

Reply #5 – May 14, 2016, 10:11:19 am

Since I have never had hydraulic jacks I can't compare but I do like that I can level anywhere without anyone taking notice like in a parking lot or on the side of the street. And it's quick and easy and I do it even for short time periods like 15 minutes. I have a 40 footer and carry some boards in case my camp spot is very out of level but very rarely use them. I do not no go off-road camping like the prior poster which might be something to consider if you are so inclined. The air bags have a lot of leveling capability side to side (since the spacing is only 8 ft across) but length wise is where you typically need more due to the wheel base. If I park somewhere short term and cannot level due to being too steep, I shut off the refrigerator. It seems to me if a coach has an air ride suspension, adding a hydraulic leveling system is needless complexity. I do know I'll take an air leak over a hydraulic leak any day but finding an air leak is the hard part. To be fair I guess a downside to air leveling is needing an on board compressor to maintain leveling. How often it runs varies greatly with how tight the air system is but I think for most it runs about once a day for a few minutes.

Re: Air bags verses level jacks

Reply #6 – May 14, 2016, 10:53:54 am

Note that on a air bag Foretravel the range limit on a corner is about 9", max up, min. down. The ride height is controlled to the middle of the range. As noted it's so easy to do, it is just a double press of the button to level. I too will level the coach in a parking lot, or rest area for even a short stop for meals. On a coach with jacks, it's press once, to get them to point down, then walk around and put your pads under the legs, if needed, then press again and it auto levels. Later you need to remember to collect your pads and stow them away. I did not think the coach was anymore stable on jacks, as they are located inboard of the wheel base by some many inches. With the outboard air bags you have I think better corner support.

There are huge differences in the two coaches you are looking at., beyond just the hp, and leveling. U225, and 240 are shorter height 10'8", vs about 11'6", and have less bay storage height. They don't have disc brakes, or airbags, and other features that the more expensive U280 and U300 models had when new.

You are looking at apples and oranges, so spend time with the options, and details of the more basic 225/240, and the upscale 280/300. For us a 225 was a very small and easy step to see how we liked having a Foretravel. But if we had found a 280/300, 36' we might still be in that coach today, 5 years later. There would have been no need to upgrade to get a side radiator, airbags, retarder, more hp, and storage of the larger U280/300 series.

Re: Air bags verses level jacks

Reply #7 – May 14, 2016, 11:09:17 am

The one think I like about air bag leveling is there are a lot of times I can dump the air out of the bags and get the coach level & it is lower to the ground. I have two friends and they start out high and go higher. I can start out at travel height and just lower part to get level. On some un level spots they have to put the two step stool to get to the bottom step of their RV.

Re: Air bags verses level jacks

Reply #8 – May 14, 2016, 12:12:43 pm

Besides what Dave mentioned, other differences between Foretravel models are 8' vs 8.5' wide and the Oshkosh vs Foretravel chassis.

Re: Air bags verses level jacks

Reply #9 – May 14, 2016, 12:20:33 pm

Quote from: Barry & Cindy – May 14, 2016, 12:12:43 pm

Besides what Dave mentioned, other differences between Foretravel models are 8' vs 8.5' wide and the Oshkosh vs Foretravel chassis.

Small correction, as there are 225 and 240 with the famous Foretravel chassis, as was the 93 we had.
I might have mentioned only propane generators on the smaller225/240 coaches, and diesel generators on the 280/300.

Re: Air bags verses level jacks

Reply #10 – May 17, 2016, 10:03:13 pm

I carry some 2x8 boards that I've used a few times to help level or just to get tires on more solid surface. We also level when stopping for lunch. More than one person has made a "big impression" with a heavy coach and jacks. Granted, even a U240 isn't as heavy as a 'Bird, but if the surface is soft (or becomes soft after you park) you can still have a problem.

Re: Air bags verses level jacks

Reply #11 – May 18, 2016, 06:49:53 am

I have the best of both worlds, I have air for ride and hydraulics for leveling except my jacks don't touch the ground. They level the coach between the body and the frame. Air is released from the air bags prior to the coach leveling with hydraulics. No matter what surface I'm on the coach will level. I understand Foretravel didn't build to many this way.

Re: Air bags verses level jacks

Reply #12 – May 18, 2016, 08:14:15 am

I just have a few boards I carry if I know it is a rough area. I could alwYs level my 34 and 36 foot coaches. The 42 is when I started carrying a few boards.

Re: Air bags verses level jacks

Reply #13 – May 18, 2016, 09:38:06 am

Quote from: joeszeidel – May 18, 2016, 06:49:53 am

I have the best of both worlds, I have air for ride and hydraulics for leveling except my jacks don't touch the ground. They level the coach between the body and the frame. Air is released from the air bags prior to the coach leveling with hydraulics. No matter what surface I'm on the coach will level. I understand Foretravel didn't build to many this way.

Wow, I've never heard of this before. Very interesting.

Re: Air bags verses level jacks

Reply #14 – May 18, 2016, 09:54:39 am

Quote from: joeszeidel – May 18, 2016, 06:49:53 am

I have the best of both worlds, I have air for ride and hydraulics for leveling except my jacks don't touch the ground. They level the coach between the body and the frame. Air is released from the air bags prior to the coach leveling with hydraulics. No matter what surface I'm on the coach will level. I understand Foretravel didn't build to many this way.

It would seem to me you would still have the same limitation of air bag system. When you raise you cannot pull the air bag apart so that would be the max lift.

Re: Air bags verses level jacks

Reply #15 – May 18, 2016, 12:35:23 pm

I can't remember what campground it was, but somewhere in Colorado, around Ouray, or along the route there, they just flat did not allow any type of leveling jacks to touch the ground. They had just had the sites repaved, and were going to no longer allow jacks because of all the issues caused by them punching through the pavement. So something to keep in mind.

Re: Air bags verses level jacks

Reply #16 – May 18, 2016, 12:59:32 pm

I don't think one is any better than the other. I did like the jacks on the U225.
Air bags and air leveling is a bit complicated (not huge) but can be expensive to maintain. My 03 is at the factory right now and getting its air leveling system fixed.

Re: Air bags verses level jacks

Reply #17 – May 18, 2016, 01:14:52 pm

We have had both air and hydraulic leveling, a 93, U225 and now a 93, U300. I much prefer the air bags. Once leveled you can walk through our U300 coach with the feeling of walking on a regular house floor. When in bed you can occasionally feel someone walking or setting down up front. With the U225 someone walking really rocked the coach when laying on the bed.

We were the PO of Dave and Dollly's U225 and we too really enjoyed it but the extra storage of the U280 and U300 were necessary when we decided to go full. time. You will also find driving a coach with air suspension is much less tiring. Our U300 is much less affected by cross winds and big trucks. Some of that is caused by the U300 longer wheel base but the stability is mostly due to the bags vs the torsilastic suspension of the U225 and U240's.

For occasional use the U225 and U240's are great but for lengthy stays and frequent use I much prefer the U280 and U300.

Regarding reliability of the air leveling system, my coach is 24 years old. I have had it for 6 years and so far no air leaks and no problems. I did replace my air bags but that was preventative maintenance more than necessary. I vote air bags.

Re: Air bags verses level jacks

Reply #18 – May 19, 2016, 09:59:37 am

Our '89's air leveling works as new. Still. I very, very much prefer this setup over jacks. Not as much adjustability but oh so simple fast and easy.

Re: Air bags verses level jacks

Reply #19 – May 19, 2016, 02:56:17 pm

Craneman you are correct I am limited by my airbags but when I use my jacks they are solid and I don't worry about going into soft ground or losing air in my airbags.

Re: Air bags verses level jacks

Reply #20 – May 19, 2016, 06:00:13 pm

Quote from: joeszeidel – May 19, 2016, 02:56:17 pm

Craneman you are correct I am limited by my airbags but when I use my jacks they are solid and I don't worry about going into soft ground or losing air in my airbags.

It would be handy when changing air bags also. Can it be used to hobble to a repair facility if you blow an air bag?

Re: Air bags verses level jacks

Reply #21 – May 19, 2016, 06:14:45 pm

You all kill me! We went thirty years with NO jacks, only 2 x 8 risers. It was level heaven when we got this coach and pushed the buttons.

Re: Air bags verses level jacks

Reply #22 – May 19, 2016, 06:28:22 pm

I can't do this with my latest Foretravel.

Re: Air bags verses level jacks

Reply #23 – May 19, 2016, 08:27:01 pm

I went for years with nothing more than a lumber yard and bulls eye level. Always wished for leveling jacks until I got this coach with air leveling. This is the way to go. Sometimes the site is too far off-level front to back and I need to add two inches of wood, but that seldom happens. I've seen too many coaches with leveling jacks and two wheels completely off the ground, this doesn't look safe to me.

Besides, I never have to place pads under jacks before leveling or remember to retrieve them, and have no worries about moving the coach before remembering to retract the jacks. Air leveling takes care of itself very nicely.

Re: Air bags verses level jacks

Reply #24 – May 19, 2016, 08:33:45 pm

Quote from: Tom Lang – May 19, 2016, 08:27:01 pm

I went for years with nothing more than a lumber yard and bulls eye level. Always wished for leveling jacks until I got this coach with air leveling. This is the way to go. Sometimes the site is too far off-level front to back and I need to add two inches of wood, but that seldom happens. I've seen too many coaches with leveling jacks and two wheels completely off the ground, this doesn't look safe to me.

Cranes and other equipment have the wheels off the ground with cribbing (wood) all the time. It is no different with a motorhome. Rear wheels on the ground with maxie,s on, coach isn't going anywhere.

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